With so many key games with crucial points on the line in the MLS this past weekend, there were some that predicted some sides would take a conservative approach. That wasn’t the case at all with only a single draw among the nine matchups.
The LA Galaxy and Montreal Impact fought to a 0-0 draw but there was plenty of action elsewhere with including four teams that scored at least three goals in their respective wins.
Here is a look at the top individual fantasy performers based on position from this past weekend in the MLS.
GK: Donovan Ricketts, LA Galaxy
The Galaxy’s four-game winning streak was snapped in last week’s 1-0 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes but they bounced back with a draw against Montreal in which Ricketts was excellent for them. Ricketts stopped all five shots he faced for his third clean sheet win in 16 games and LA escaped with an important point. They remain locked in a battle with Vancouver Whitecaps FC and FC Dallas for top spot in the Western Conference.
GK: Evan Bush, Montreal
The point was just as important for Montreal as they held on to the sixth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference thanks in big part to Bush coming up big with four saves. The Impact had lost three straight before recording a 4-3 win over Chicago last week and they followed it up with a much better defensive effort in earning another point this week versus the Galaxy. Honorable Mention: Bobby Shuttleworth, New England; Jesse Gonzalez, FC Dallas
D: Bobby Burling, Colorado
Colorado followed up a 2-0 loss to the Whitecaps with a 1-1 draw with DC United. They might not be able to turn things around in time to challenge for a playoff spot, it’s impressive that they are fighting to the end with three wins and a draw to show for their last five games. Burling scored the Rapids’ lone goal and was excellent at both ends of the field against the second-place team in the Eastern Conference.
D: Jeff Larentowicz, Chicago
For the second straight week, Chicago came out on the wrong side of a high scoring game as they dropped a 3-2 loss to the New York Red Bulls on Friday night. Larentowicz was on the field for all three goals against but he scored for the Fire on a penalty kick. That was enough to push him in to the second spot on this list for MLS defenders. Honorable Mention: Steve Birnbaum, DC United; Harrison Afful, Columbus
M: Adrian Winter, Orlando City SC
Orlando City SC finally snapped its six-game winless slide with a 3-1 win over Sporting Kansas City thanks in big part to two goals from Winter. The 29-year-old was making just his fifth appearance of the season for Orlando and after breaking through with his first two goals of the season, there is a good chance they will turn back to him for what could be another high scoring game against Chicago this week.
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M: Javier Morales, Real Salt Lake
RSL moved to within six points of the sixth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference thanks in big part to the performance of Morales, who finished with a goal and an assist. Morales now has seven goals and nine assists in 21 games this season and if RSL is going to have any shot at making the playoffs, they will need their star midfielder to play at an elite level the rest of the way. Honorable Mention: Sacha Kljestan, New York Red Bulls; Lee Nguyen, New England; Michel, FC Dallas
F: Kei Kamara, Columbus
Speaking of star players performing at a high level over the weekend, there was no fantasy forward better than Kamara, who scored both goals in Columbus’ 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Union. Kamara was considered a lock in most daily fantasy leagues this past weekend and he added to his impressive league-leading total with his 19th and 20th goals of the season.
F: Obafemi Martins, Seattle
The Sounders are right there in the mix as one of three teams separated by a single point from fourth to sixth place in the Western Conference standings and they earned a crucial point off a draw against San Jose over the weekend thanks to a goal from Martins. With Seattle trailing 1-0, Martins delivered in the 82nd minute. It was his 12th goal in 16 games this year and the Sounders will lean on him to produce up front as we head in to the final stretch of the MLS season. Honorable Mention: Devon Sandoval, Real Salt Lake; David Accam, Chicago; Krisztian Nemeth, Sporting Kansas City
